A MYALL woman's passion for patchwork paid dividends recently at one of the pastime's major exhibitions.

Pattie McDonald received the best traditional amateur award, as well as a judge's commendation, at the Victorian Quilters Quilt Showcase, held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre recently as part of the Craft and Quilt Fair.

The Kerang Quilters member's entry, Japanese Kaleidoscope, featured Japanese fabric and Sachiko stitching in creating the hand-made piece.

"When you see the standard and quality of entries on display in Melbourne, it is very humbling for me to have received an award," she said.

Mrs McDonald began making quilts in the 1980s, and now makes on average six items a year.

Many of these have been given to family and friends, or donated to raise funds for local charities.

"I started quilting when the TAFE girls came across from Deniliquin and ran a course, and then when the Kerang Quilters began, I joined," Mrs McDonald said.

"Quilting is my relaxation. I like the creativity of it, and between it and gardening, it is my getaway from the farming life.

"There is so much out there now compared to when I began. There are new varieties in fabric and different styles that challenge you to extend your knowledge.

The Kerang Quilters meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month, as well as the third Saturday of each month, at the Kerang Fire Brigade meeting room.